Pump unit for water supply

ABSTRACT

A pump assembly including a first drive member unit such as a hydraulic cylinder having an axial movable pumping member and having a water inlet pressure source, a pump unit having an axially movable pumping member, and means connecting the pumping members of the two units together to drive the pump. An interrupted means connects the output of the first unit to the inlet of the pump unit and means controlled by movement of the connecting means control input of water to the first unit whereby an independent supply of water to the pump is provided and it can, for example, supply flushing water to packing seals of sewage pumps.

I Unlted States Patent 1 [111 3,775,028 Davis Nov. 27, 1973 PUMP UNIT FOR WATER SUPPLY Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith [76] Inventor: Charles H. Davis, Oberlin, Ohio Z a 5132:: 2: [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 188,089 57 ABSTRACT A pump assembly including a first drive member unit [52] US. Cl 417/267, 91/275, 91/459, Such as a hydraulic cylinder having an axial movable 417391 417/404 pumping member and having a water inlet pressure [51] II}!- Cl. Source, a p p unit having an axially movable p p [58] Field of Search 417/404, 391, 267, mg member, and means connecting the pumping 91,275 459 members of the two units together to drive the pump. An interrupted means connects the output of the first [56] References cued unit to the inlet of the pump unit and means con- UNIT STATES PATENTS trolled by movement of the connecting means control 3,589,839 6/1971 Johnson 417/391 input of water to the first unit whereby an indepen- 2,430,723 11/ 1947 Lupfer 417/343 dent supply of water to the pump is provided and it 2,619,076 11/1952 Agin 91/275 can, for example, supply flushing water to packing seals of sewage pumps.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDnmvzv I973 3.775 028 INVENTOR. CHARLES H. DAVIS BY ww ww ATTORNEYS.

, PUMP UNIT FOR WATER SUPPLY This invention relates to a novel and improved pump and correlated drive means, and especially to a drive means and a driven pump means with an independent but correlated liquid supply means connecting the two for controlled output of pressure liquid.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Heretofore there have been many different kinds of pumps and pump assemblies provided but one particular problem does exist in sewage pumping systems. In many pumps it is very desirable to have a flushing liquid or water supplied to the packing seals of the pump to keep them operating in a efficient manner and to avoid leakage of any of the pumped materials through the pump seal means. It is especially important in pumping sewage that none of the pumped sewage flows back out of the seal and possibly escape the sewage treatment system. Especially, the law or rules are quite strict in administrative agencies to avoid any possible flow of sewage from sewage pumping means back into a water supply system such as might be used for flushing the seal or packing means of the pump. Hence liquid supply means connected in any manner to a sewage pumping means, including the seal or packing means thereof preferably are interrupted from direct flow relationship with any supply of liquid, nonnally water, to be pumped to or supplied to such pump seal or packing means.

Thus the general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved pump assembly comprising a drive means and a pump wherein the output of the drive means is transmitted to the pump by an interrupted water flow circuit for ultimate provision of pressure liquid.

Another object of the invention is to correlate action of a drive means and a driven pump means whereby they will operate in synchronism with the requirements for water output from the pump being automatically controlled by the drive of the drive means in the system dependent upon the needs of water in the system to which the pump is connected. f

A further object of the invention is to provide a cornpact, efficient, low cost pump assembly comprising two coupled members for providing output liquid under desired pressure and volume conditions.

A further object of the invention is to control the input of the drive means in the pump system by control means associated with movable members in the pump system moving with pump operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a somewhat diagrammatic view of a pump assembly embodying the principals of the inventions;

FIG. 2 is a similar diagrammatic view illustrating a modified pump assembly of the invention and showing it connected to a seal ring or packing unit of a pump; and

FIG. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, partially shown in section, of means in the pump system for mechanically changing the setting of a valve controlling input flow of water to the first drive means in the pump unit.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION This invention particularly relates to a pump assembly for water supply and comprising a first drive means having an axially moving pumping member and being the drive member for the pump, a pump having an axially movable pumping member, means connecting the pumping member of the pump to the pumping member of the first drive means to drive the pump thereby, an interrupted means including a gravity flow section connecting the output of the first drive means to the inlet of the pump, and means controlled by a movement of these connecting means to control input of water to the first drive means and operation of the pump assembly.

With reference to the details of the structure of the invention, numeral 10 indicates a pump assembly of the invention and it includes a first drive means such as a hydraulic cylinder indicated generally by the numeral 12 and a pump indicated by a numeral 14. Inlet water for the cylinder 12 is provided by a line or tube 16 that normally connects to a conventional drinking water source providing pressure liquid to the tube 16. A control valve, normally solenoid operated, is indicated by the numeral 18. This solenoid valve 18 is a two position valve one being when energized and one de-energized. For example, the valve 18 when energized would connect input from the tube 116 to flow through supply tube 20 to an end indicated at a of the chamber of cylinder 22. A piston 24 is positioned for reciprocation in this cylinder 22 and it has a piston rod or other equivalent connecting means 26 connecting thereto and extending axially from sealed engagement with an end of the cylinder 22 as indicated in the drawings.

From the opposite end of the cylinder 22 indicated at b, in this instance a discharge line or tube 28 is provided and connects back through the valve 18 for flow of liquid through a connecting means or member 30 in the direction indicated when the piston is being moved by water pressure supplied through the tube 20 to the cylinder 22.

This water forced through the connecting means or line 30 extending from the valve 18 normally has an interruption provided in its flow path so that the tube 30 discharges into a hopper 32 or equivalent member receiving water for use in or supply to the pump 14 to be pumped therefrom as described hereinafter. The hopper 32 connects by inlet lines 34 or 36 to opposite ends of a cylinder 38 of the pump 14. A piston 40 is provided for reciprocation in this cylinder 38 and it has an extension or connecting means from the piston rod 26 connecting thereto and extending through a sealed connection provided in the end of the cylinder 38 adjacent the cylinder 22 whereby movement of the pistons in the two units is correlated and is unitary. In these inlet lines 34 and 36 one way or check valves 42 and 44 are provided whereby water can only flow therethrough in one direction.

Output from the pumping cylinder 38 is carried by one of two outlet lines 46 and 48 that individually connect respectively to opposite ends of the cylinder 38 and which connect to a common discharge line or tube 50 that in turn connects to the member to which the output liquid supplied under pressure is to be provided from this outlet 50. In this instance, a pump 52 is shown.

It will be seen that the action of the cylinder 12 and pump 14 is correlated in that the output from the line 50 will only flow as required and as released under pressure discharge or pressure reducing conditions and a slow flow of outlet liquid is provided. Accordingly the piston 40 will only move slowly along the axis of the pump cylinder 38 as output liquid under pressure is required. Likewise the input action and flow of liquid into and through the cylinder 22 will occur to provide whatever axial movement is required of the piston 40 to provide the discharge volume and pressure liquid output as required.

The positioning or setting of the solenoid actuated valve 18 is controlled by an actuating coil 60 that connects to power supply leads 62 and a control switch 64 is provided therein. The switch 64 may be a simple mercury actuated switch the vertical position or setting of which is controlled by suitable means such as a collar or member 70 that is associated with and/or carried by the piston rod or connecting member 26. A slide bar 71 is positioned to be engaged by the collar 70 as it moves with the member 26 and adjacent each end of movement of the member 26 the collar engages end flanges or the slide to move it a short distance. The slide 71 has means such as a flange 72 thereon to move and arm 74 fixedly associated with the mercury switch 64. The switch is pivotally positioned for movement to and from contact closing position. The apparatus is so set up that when the connecting member 26 is moved in either direction for a full stroke, the solenoid actuated switch will permit entry of water under pressure from the line 16 for flow in the proper direction. As movement of the two pistons 40 and 24 is unitary, hence the means 12 supplies water to the pump 14 in proper volume as required from the outlet of the pump. Obviously, if desired the diameters of the cylinders 22 and 38 may be different in order to change the pressure relationship of the liquids in the two units. For most uses it is preferable to have equal diameters in the two cylinders in the system and thus equal volumes of flow through each of the drive and driven units.

It will be seen that check valves or one way flow valves 43 and 45 also are provided in the lines 46 and 48 respectively for flow of water therethrough in one direction, as indicated, for discharge through the pipe 50.

FIG. 2 shows a modification of the pumping unit of the invention indicated as a whole by the numeral a. In this instance, a diaphram actuated drive means 120 is connected to a diaphram actuated pump 14a and with again a unitary operation of the two members of the pumping system being provided in the manner described hereinbefore. However, in this instance an outlet line 50a is shown directly connecting to the sealing means 80 provided in the pump 52a. These sealing means 80 are of any suitable or known construction, and with water that is provided to these sealing means 80 just slowly being forced from the pump in a conventional manner, as indicated in the dotted lines of FIG. 2.

It is also contemplated that a mechanically actuated switch can be provided in lieu of the solenoid actuated valve 18. Hence FIG. 3 shows a mechanically operated valve 18a that has two operative positions to connect the inlet line 16b alternately to the two lines connecting to the opposite ends of the unit connected thereto and for ultimate discharge of the liquid through the discharge of the liquid through the discharge tube 30b. The two position valve has a control arm 82 extending therefrom that in turn connects to a link 84 by lost motion coupling means 86. The opposite end of the link 84 in turn is connected to an actuated member 88 which in turn is connected to an actuated member 88 which in turn connects to a fixed plate or bracket 90. This bracket 90 has an actuating arm 92 connecting thereto and which arm 92 extends to and is actuated by a collar 70b on an axially movable connecting member or piston rod 26b used in the pump system of the invention for movement in one direction. The arm 92 suitably engages the piston rod 26b. Movement in the other direction is obtained by the collar 70b engaging a link means 94 that pivotally engages the arm 92. Such link means 94 suitably slidably engages the piston rod 26b. Hence, arcuate movement of one end of the arm 92 is directly produced by movement of the actuating member or piston rod 26b and collar 70b and the connection between the arm 92 and the coupling means 88 is such as to cause the member 88 to snap through an are as indicated to provide for valve opening or closing action by control arm 82. The opposite snap action is produced by movement of the rod 26b and the collar 70b in the opposite direction moving the member 88 by the link means 94. A spring is secured to the bracket 90 and to the arm 92 to aid in obtaining a snap movement of the control arm 82 when the actuating arm 92 moves over a dead center position. This is a conventional mechanical control for a valve.

It will be appreciated that the structure shown in FIG. 2 can be used in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and that the sealing means and packing assembly shown in FIG. 2 could obviously be the means using the output from the pump system of FIG. 1.

Preferably the diaphragms used in the units and 14a are of the same size but when desired these means could be made of different diameters to provide a different pressure condition in the two parts of the pumping means.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a novel and improved compact pumping system has been provided to provide controlled amounts of output water under desired pressure and volume conditions as required by the use means to which the pump outlet is connected. Thus, the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While several complete embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of these particular embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pump assembly for water supply comprising a drive unit including a housing and an axially movable partition member sealingly disposed in said housing, said partition member defining with said housing two expansible chambers one on each side of said partition member, each of said chambers being connected to a water pressure source and to an output pipe, valve means interposed between said source and said chambers and between said chambers and said output pipe, said valve means altematingly directing the pressurized water to each said chamber and further altematingly directing the flow of water out of said chambers to said output pipe to thereby provide a measured volume of output water,

a cylindrical pump having an axially movable piston positioned between the ends of the pump,

a piston rod means connecting said piston of said pump to said partition member of said drive unit to drive said piston thereby,

said pump having two inlets at opposite ends thereof and two outlets at opposite ends thereof, a first common pipe connecting to said inlets, a second common pipe connecting to said outlets,

check valve means in both of said first and second pipes for liquid flow therein in only one direction,

a collector means receiving water from said output pipe under relieved pressure condition and connecting said output pipe to said first common pipe for flow of output water from said valve means to said first common pipe for input water supply thereto,

means controlled by movement of said piston rod means and operatively connecting to said valve means to control water flow to and from said drive unit, and

a water outlet discharge member connecting to said second common pipe for pressured water flow from said pump.

2. A pump assembly as in claim 1 where means connect said outlet discharge member of said pump to the packing seal of another pump and pressure is maintained on such seal by said piston of said first pump by movement of said piston in either direction.

3. A pump assembly as in claim 1 where means connect said discharge member of said pump to a device for supply of water under pressure thereto, movement of said piston being controlled by the acceptance by said device of pressured water supplied thereto.

4. A pump assembly as in claim 1 wherein said piston rod controlled means include a solenoid for controlling the setting of said valve means, and a control circuit for said solenoid and including a switch actuated by movement of said piston rod is provided. 

1. A pump assembly for water supply comprising a drive unit including a housing and an axially movable partition member sealingly disposed in said housing, said partition member defining with said housing two expansible chambers one on each side of said partition member, each of said chambers being connected to a water pressure source and to an output pipe, valve means interposed between said source and said chambers and between said chambers and said output pipe, said valve means alternatingly directing the pressurized water to each said chamber and further alternatingly directing the flow of water out of said chambers to said output pipe to thereby provide a measured volume of output water, a cylindrical pump having an axially movable piston positioned between the ends of the pump, a piston rod means connecting said piston of said pump to said partition member of said drive unit to drive said piston thereby, said pump having two inlets at opposite ends thereof and two outlets at opposite ends thereof, a first common pipe connecting to said inlets, a second common pipe connecting to said outlets, check valve means in both of said first and second pipes for liquid flow therein in only one direction, a collector means receiving water from said output pipe under relieved pressure condition and connecting said output pipe to said first common pipe for flow of output water from said valve means to said first common pipe for input water supply thereto, means controlled by movement of said piston rod means and operatively connecting to said valve means to control water flow to and from said drive unit, and a water outlet discharge member connecting to said second common pipe for pressured water flow from said pump.
 2. A pump assembly as in claim 1 where means connect said outlet discharge member of said pump to the packing seal of another pump and pressure is maintained on such seal by said piston of said first pump by movement of said piston in either direction.
 3. A pump assembly as in claim 1 where means connect said discharge member of said pump to a device for suppLy of water under pressure thereto, movement of said piston being controlled by the acceptance by said device of pressured water supplied thereto.
 4. A pump assembly as in claim 1 wherein said piston rod controlled means include a solenoid for controlling the setting of said valve means, and a control circuit for said solenoid and including a switch actuated by movement of said piston rod is provided. 